Hajj Amid Tight Security After Stampede

ALAA SHAHINE

Published 7:00 pm, Tuesday, February 11, 2003

Associated Press Writer

Hundreds of security personnel directed crowds of faithful carrying out the final rituals of the Muslim pilgrimage Wednesday, trying to prevent a repeat of the crush that killed 14 people a day earlier.

Eight medical teams set up near the three pillars representing the devil's temptation, which tens of thousands of pilgrims filed past and pelted with pebbles in a symbolic stoning.

"Standing still after performing the ritual would block the way of your fellow-pilgrims. Please leave the site immediately," an announcer said through a bullhorn in several languages.

Medical personnel were seen giving first aid to several pilgrims, but no serious injuries were reported, according to a security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

In their annual message to pilgrims on Wednesday, Saudi King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah said Islam has warned against terrorism.

"Terrorism means causing havoc on earth and is an aggression against others. We adopt our position based on the Quran and its verses. The world must distinguish between terrorism and the legitimate right of people with occupied lands to determine their own fate and liberate their land," they said in a statement.

They made the statement a day after the Arab al-Jazeera satellite station broadcast an audiotape purportedly by Osama bin Laden calling on Muslims to help defend Iraq against U.S. attack.

The stampede occurred Tuesday when a group of pilgrims finished the stoning ritual and was leaving as another wave entered, swelling the crowd dangerously on a market street. Fourteen people were killed, and 15 others slightly injured.

"We have increased the level of coordination among all concerned authorities to avoid what happened," said Othman al-Maymani, Mecca's province health affairs director.

Al-Maymani said ambulances could not reach the site of the stampede quickly because of overcrowding caused by the nearly 2 million pilgrims converging in Mina, which comes alive only once a year, during the hajj.

The Mina ritual has been the source of tragic events in the past as well. In 2001, 35 people died in a stampede there. In 1998, 180 died performing the same ritual. A year earlier, more than 340 people died in a fire that ripped through pilgrims' tents in Mina.

Though exhausted as their tough spiritual journey came to a close, many pilgrims were still taking in the divine atmosphere.

"It's an amazing experience and I am so happy about it. I admire the old who came here and went through the process and can live after that to talk about it," Mohammed, an American pilgrim, said.

Chanting "Allahu Akbar," or "God is Great," pilgrims threw seven small pebbles at each of three gray stone pillars in the last ritual of the five-day hajj. On Thursday, the last of the pilgrims will perform the ritual, which symbolizes the rejection of earthly temptations.

"I prayed for peace on earth. No wars," Mohammed, who requested not to be further identified, said.

Anti-U.S. sentiments have been running high in the Muslim world due to the perceived American support of Israel and the aggressive U.S. campaign to disarm Iraq of its alleged weapons of mass destruction.

Most pilgrims, preoccupied with performing the hajj, did not hear the al-Jazeera broadcast of the purported bin Laden tape, which U.S. authorities belived to be authentic. But many pilgrims dismissed any advice from the al-Qaida leader.

"As Muslims, we are all against a war in Iraq, but Osama bin Laden's prayers don't move our feelings or emotions," Amer Hussein, from Jordan, said. "We don't need his prayers at all."

Naeem, from Pakistan, echoed the same sentiments.

"We are not (supporting) al-Qaida, but Muslims will be united in the future because our religion says that all nations will eventually convert to Islam, even the Americans," he said, declining to be identified further.

Able-bodied Muslims are required to perform the hajj at least once if they can afford it. The rituals that began in the nearby holy city of Mecca _ birthplace of Islam and its seventh-century prophet, Muhammad _ comprise a spiritual journey that, according to Islamic teachings, cleanses the soul and wipes away sins.

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Pilgrims are expected to pay a farewell visit to the Grand Mosque in Mecca before leaving. Some also will take time to visit Medina, where Muhammad is buried.